Summer School Holidays in Melbourne are a bit of a mixed bag… it’s a time to connect with family and friends, to slow down and enjoy some unstructured chill-out.

But summer holidays also go for ages… and if you’re not out of town on holidays or, like most, your holidays from work are only for a couple of weeks, you might be looking for some shows, events or holiday programs to break up the 6-8 weeks of summer holidays – and create some fond memories to look back on!

City of Melbourne Christmas activities – various times, dates and venues.  And New Years Eve in Melbourne – various events and locations. CBD

Pixar Putt minigolf is located on the western forecourt outside Melbourne Museum until 3 February.  CBD

Boxing Day Test Cricket: MCG from 26 – 30 December and the Big Bash League (men’s and women’s cricket) at various locations until mid-Feb.  CBD

Gold Rush: Sovereign Hill celebrates the magic of gold with daily activities, gold hunts and more!  At night be a part of the sound and light show, AURA. Explore space, delve into the Dreamtime, and re-live Australia’s most important rebellion – all while travelling under the night sky. 26 December 2018 – 27 January.  BALLARAT

Summer of Dance: The Immigration Museum is celebrating dance this summer. CBD

Melbourne Museum: From 21 December – 27 January, check out the Mini Mega Model Museum, where the apples are wax, the Colosseum is small and the models really work! Enjoy daily crafting activities for kids aged 6-12 and so much more!  CBD

Junior Rangers: various locations and run by Parks Victoria from 22 December – 31 January 2019.  REGIONAL

Scienceworks: From 26 December – 28 January science is in the air with the arrival of new Air Playground exhibition – think bubbles, giant inflatibles and more. SPOTSWOOD

KAWS: Playtime: {FREE} NGV International (St Kilda Road), until 13 April. For ages 3+  CBD

Basquiat + Haring: NGV International (St Kilda Road), until 13 April.  School age+  CBD

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – the Musical: Her Majesty’s Theatre until 2 February.  School age+ CBD

Summertime Social is arriving at Federation Square this summer – it’s a pop-up event that runs from 2 January – 5 April, FREE to enter with games to play (book online) and lots of food options and spots to chill.  CBD

The Shrine is running a FREE School Holiday program.  Weekdays from 2 Jan to 24 Jan, check the website for times.  For primary school-aged children.  CBD

Cirque Stratosphere at the Arts Centre features gravity-defying, head spinning stunts that will elevate, thrill and bewilder., 3-11 January. CBD

The Big Bounce is the biggest jumping castle in the world, and it’s coming to Melbourne! 3-19 January.  FLEMINGTON

The 91-Storey Treehouse: Arts Centre 4-19 January.  For ages 6+ CBD

Sunset Sounds Concert Series: Stonnington is running a series of FREE concerts to be held over THREE Sundays in January, commencing on January 5th.  DJs start things off at 5pm with live acts from 6-8pm.  Each Sunday features different artists and different iconic Stonnington parks.  PRAHRAN + MALVERN

Summer Slip & Slide is coming to the District Docklands from 6-26 January and it’s FREE.  DOCKLANDS

The MPavillion is back for Summer 2020 and a series of MKids events are running from 7 January onwards.  CBD

Alice in Wonderland will be performed in the gardens of Rippon Lea from 7-26 January.  RIPPON LEA

War Horse is on at the Regent Theatre from 10 January. CBD

Room on the Broom at the Atheneum Club for ages 3+, 10-15 January.  CBD

ArtPlay has created an interactive installation called Scrapatorium, created by kids for kids.  11-25 January.  CBD

Kids Summer Festival: NGV International, 11-19 January from 10am-3pm daily, FREE.  CBD

Stick By Me at the Arts Centre, a beautiful performance for ages 3-6 about friendship. 14-18 January. CDB

Brickvention is happening from 18-19 January in the Royal Exhibition Buildings! CBD

Midsumma Festival has a number of family events happening from 18 January onwards, various locations and dates.

The Australian Open – tennis lovers there is plenty of fun for the kids at the AO from 20 January – 2 February, ground passes starting at $5!  CBD

So Frenchy So Chic: Werribee Park Mansion Gardens on Sunday 12 January (read our review from a previous event).  WERRIBEE

10-Minute Dance Parties are FREE and happening from 16-24 January outside the Arts Centre on the forecourt. CBD

Music Play is a fabulous music festival for families held in the Recital Centre – tickets sell out fast. 16-18 January, all ages.  CBD

Australia Day events – check this website for an event happening near you. 26 January.

Do you know of an awesome event or activity happening these summer school holidays in Melbourne?  Leave a comment below or drop us a line at info {at} meetoo.com.au.